[Num 23:7-10] 7 And Balaam took up his discourse and said, "From Aram Balak has brought me, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: 'Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!' 8 How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? 9 … Continue reading The Four Oracles of Balaam
Tag: Catholicism
The Necessity of Religious Culture
Tanner Guzy recently tweeted this: https://twitter.com/tannerguzy/status/1128513667190779904 I actually disagree with him quite a bit here. Religious cultures succeed because they can build systems and institutions that have non-materialistic fuel as a major impetus for their maintenance and the enthusiasm of their stewards. Think of it this way, using the example of caring for the poor … Continue reading The Necessity of Religious Culture
Ahaz & the Altar
King Ahaz ordered the removal of a portico on the house of the Lord, presumably to use its materials as payment to the king of Assyria. This was a remarkably desperate act; cannibalizing a beautification to the house of the Lord, searching for something of worldly value to sell. He had already given virtually all … Continue reading Ahaz & the Altar
On Authority and Scandal
Two things are simultaneously true about the current Catholic Church scandals: 1) Scandal is a constant part of human life, especially of large organizations; 2) The present crisis in the Catholic Church is unique and unprecedented and deserves not to have its uniqueness be muddied. Scandal is of a particularly evil quality when the institution … Continue reading On Authority and Scandal
Does God will a Multitude of Denominations?
Much has been made of Francis' joint document with Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb of al-Azhar fame. That document created sparks in conservative and traditional outlets primarily because of a particular statement: "The pluralism and the diversity of religions, color, sex, race and language are willed by God in his wisdom, through which he created human beings…" … Continue reading Does God will a Multitude of Denominations?
Catholic Socialism, Stalwart of Liberalism
I happened across a set of policy proposals by one Matt Bruenig, whose wife Elizabeth has a fairly well known (at least in Catholic circles) writing gig at the Washington Post. So, I decided to put up a pithy statement of my own thoughts on it. It represents the absolute best of intentions thoroughly undermined … Continue reading Catholic Socialism, Stalwart of Liberalism
The Alcove
A rare foray into poetry... Inches separate life and death Even borders imagined May separate sacred and profane Among rivers of asphalt Even flowers bloom if there be light and water The dull roar from engines, encased in Angled glass and steel, oft Colliding into twisted metal and spilled poisons The rush to possess, to win a race For … Continue reading The Alcove
